Pipe cleaning apparatus



July 8, 1941- c. H. M. BURNHAM PIPE CLEANING' ABPAR'ATUS Filed May 6, 1939 3 Sheets--Shee't 1 1 TTORNEY July 8, 19,41. c. H. M. BURNHAM' PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1939 ,s sheets-sheet 2 nv VENTO/e Char/es hf M 5am/1am.

A'TYTORNE Y.

July 8, v1941.

c. H. M. .BURNHAM PIPE yCLEANING,APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 6. 1939 A TTORNE Yv Patented July 8, 1941 Pira oLaANiNG magnus Charles H. M. Burnham. Kansas City. Mo., as'- y signor to Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, City, Mo., a corporation o! Deia Ware Application' my s, im, No. a'zzgioo 9 claims., (ci. 11b-104.06)

This invention relates to pipe cleaning apparatus and more particularly to-a so-called godevil for cleaning pipe lines employed for transmitting uids such as natural gas.

The principal object of'the present invention is to provide -for ridding the interior walls' of the pipe lines of mill scale, dust, sand, products of corrosion and other extraneous material by wiping, scouring, polishing and similar actions, as an incident to passing a go-devil constructed in accordance with the present invention through the pipe lines to be cleaned.

Other important objects ofthe present invention are to provide for employing a motive iluid,

such as natural gas, ordinarily in the pipe line to be cleaned, as the power for driving the go-devil through the line and to make the go-devil regulatlve of theilow of motive fluid in such a manner as to utilize portions of the iiuid for propelling the go-devil and line debris ahead of the go-devil, respectively; to provide an action of the go-devil causing the debris itself to aid in clean- 'ing the line; to' provide :for passing the go-devil and the relative parts thereof over obstructions in the line; to provide traction between'the godevil and line through which it ispassing vof a character aiding effective travel of the go-devii; to articulate the go-devil; to provide for rotating the articulated sections of the go-devil in the same and/or different directions during its pas. sage through the line; to provide for effectively maintaining wiping contact-of the` cleaning portions of the go-devil'relative to the pipe surface being cleaned; to provide a durable, relatively economical and highly efiicient go-devil; and to provide improved elements and' arrangements of elements in an apparatus of this character.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of-a go-devil,-em bodying the features ofthe present invention, shown in position prior to application thereof to a pipe line to be cleaned.

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical cross-section through the go-devii on the 4line 2 2, Fig. 1, particularly illustrating the relation of the wiping elements to the body section.

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 on the line 3 3, Fig.l 1, particularly illustrating the stag-v gered relation of the wiping element supports.

Fig. 4 is a substantially central longitudinal particularly illustrating the parts thereof in preferred relation to each other.

Fig. 51s a detail frontend elevational view of the go-devil ,showing the relation oi the guide 5. rollers and debris deflecting vanes'to a pipe being cleaned.

Fig.-6 is a detail perspective view of the preferred form of joint between articulated sections of the go-devii, the parts Fig. 'I is a detail perspective view o! the joint between the rear section-ofthe preferred form of go-devil and regulative diaphragm support. the same being shown in disassembled spaced relation.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view -of the regulative diaphragm and its primary support, the

parts thereof being shown in spaced relation f t.

partly broken away to better illustrate theirv con struction. v

Fig. 9 is a detail substantially central lonsitudi nai section through a modiiied form of go-de'vil, the articuiated'sectlons of which are arranged .to rotate in different directions.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

i generally designates a go-devil constructed in accordance with the preferred form of invention, this form of go-devii preferably consis of a body section 2 of substantially tubular con- 3o formation having a tapered forward end terminating in a bullet-like nose t. A boss 5 is suitably secured to the nose t in forwardly extending relation thereto, and a handlingdev'lce 8, in tho form of an eye bolt, is-mounted in the boss 5,

l as by passing the shank of the bolt through the boss into the interior of the'body section 2. A

hand opening l, Fig. 4, is provided- `in. the body section, whereby lock nuts or similar fas devices 8 may be applied to the threaded shank 40 of the bolt for pressing against a washer or the like 9 to draw the bolt t into rmly secured relation to the body section 2.

Mounted on the body section 2, preferably at the-forward end thereof and on the boss ad f j 'cent the handling device t, is a series of guide d vices It, each preferably consisting of guide rollers Il composed of rubber 0r a similar resilient material for adapting them to t and apply effective traction between the body section 2 oi the go-devil and the interior curved surface of a pipe i2 in which the go-devil is mountedfor cleaning the same. The rollers il preferably have roller bearing support in brackets I3 suitably secured to supports i6, preferably in the form o! section through the preferred form of go-devil, leaf springs, arranged to normally expand the thereof being shown in' lo disassembled spaced lrelation. l

rollers outwardly into frictional contact with the pipe and secured to the boss 5 by fastening devices li.

In order to prevent lodgment or catching of the guide devices in openings, for example, in the pipe, trailer pieces I6 are mounted on the roller supports Il, the trailer pieces extending rearwardly of the rollers a distance sufilcient to normally bridge the ope s and hold the rollers against passing completel through such openings The forward end of the body section 2 isalso preferably provided with an annular series of defiecting devices such as vanes which are preferably arcuate in shape, as particularly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, and which preferably are arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of the go-devil in such a manner as to deflect motive'iluid impnaing thereagainst and eiect a swirling action thereof to act on debris loosened from the pipe and throw it against the walls of the pipe to aid in cleaning, scouring and polishing the pipe.

The vanes are preferably secured to the body section 2 adjacent the tapered nose thereof, as by welding the same along the lower inturned edges I8 thereof, as shown in Fig. 4, and the vanes preferably extend substantially forwardly of the body section 2 proper, as particularly shown in Fig. 1.

| 9 and 20 designate annular series of wiping elements, which preferably consist of wire brushes or similar devices capable o f imparting abrasive action to the interior of the pipe for scouring mill scale, dust, sand, products of corrosion and the like therefrom and otherwise emciently cleaning the same. The wiping elements are preferably suitably mounted on leaf springs 2| arranged to expand the wiping elements outwardly into contact with the pipe and secured to the body section 2 of the go-devil by fastening devices 22 and 23 respectively, the fastening devices 22 of the rting the forward series of wiping elements i preferably being mounted on bosses 24 provided on the body section. As shown in Fig. 3, the wiping element supports are preierably arranged in staggered relation in such a manner as to 'stagger the wiping elements and thus provide a complete or solid wiping contact of the brushes with the interior of the pipe.

It has also been found desirable to limit expension of the wiping elements I8 and 2D, and to this end, reins 2i and 2l are provided, which are preferably of a character such as the rein 21 illustrated in Fig. 'I and shown as consisting of a circular ng or the like having radially disposed tie rods 22.' 'Ihe tie rods of the ring 25 are preferably secured in a suitable manner to the body section 2, and the tie rods 2l of the ring 2i are preferably secured to the nose 2l of the succeedmg body section 2| which forms an articulated part or section of the go-de V With the construction thus far described, it is apparent that motive duid-'may be applied behind or to the left of the go-devil section 2, as illustrated in Fil. 4, which, suilicient pressure being present, forces the go-devil through the pipe. The rollers are preferably turned at an angle. as shown, and eect rotation of ,the go-devil, while travelling. The brushes loosen scale and the like on the pipe and votherwise emciently clean the pipe. and the loosened debris is picked up or entrained by the iluid and forcedahead of the go-devil during which action Ythe debris strikes the denecting vanes and is given a swirlving action to act on'debris ahead ofthe go-devil and thus aid in cleaningthe pipe.

In order to more emciently clean the interior of the pipe, the go-devil preferably comprises a series of articulated sections, of which the sections 2 and 2| form a part and constitute a unit therefor.

To ilrmly secure the sections 2 and 3| relative to each other, the rear end of the section 2 is provided with an inwardly depressed end cap member 32 having an' opening for passing a connecting element such as a bolt 32 therethrough. the nose of the section 3| being provided with an aperture alignable with the cap member opening, a washer 34 and lock nuts 35 by which the nose of the section 2| may be drawn up" 4 relative to the rear end of the section 2.

Articulated sections of this character may build up a unit of considerable length and, where bends occur in pipe to be cleaned, it is desirable to make the go-devil flexible in order to facilitate passing the go-devil around curves in the line. In accomplishing this desideratum, a resilient washer or packing 26, Fig. 6, is provided which has an aperture to pass it over the shank of the bolt 33 for engagement with the depressed outer surface of the cap member 32. The flexibility of the gd-devil, and the relative movement between the sections thereof, may be eillciently-adjusted by the extent to which the packing 38 is compressed between the nose of the section 3| and the end cap member of the section 2.

Additional support is preferably provided for the exible connection between the 'go-devil sections, which, in the. present instance, consists of upwardly and forwardly extending brackets 21 arranged in annularly spaced' relation on the nose of the section 3|. The brackets are provided on their outer ends with preferably rubber blocks 32 secured to the brackets as by fastening devices 39 and' being of a thickness adapting them for engagement with substantial portions of the cap member 32 at the outer periphery of the cap member. Adjustments to the exibility of the go-devil, and the relation of the sections thereof, may be .effected manually through4 the opening I0 in the nose of the section 3|.

Annular series of. wiping elements 4| and 42 arranged in staggered relation on outwardly expanding resilient supports I3 and M may also be provided on the go-devil section 2|, and expansion thereof is also preferably limited, similarly to the wiping elements I9 and 20. by reins 45 and 21 secured respectively, in a suitable manner, to the section 2| and' a diaphragm support 4B, Athe tie vmembers 28, previously mentioned, being employed to connect the rein 21 with the support 4l. 1

The diaphragm support 40 preferably consists of -a tubular member, the forward end of which is particularly illustrated in Fig. 'I where it is shown as being provided with a rearwardly tapered cap or hood I1 which is suitably secured, as at I8, Fig. 4, with the depressed end cap 42 secured, as by welding or the like. at the rear end of the ao-devil section 2|. The cap I2 of the section 2| is preferably provided with an outwardly directed apertured boss III for passing the shank of a tie bolt l! therethrough and the cap I1 is provided with an inwardly directed apertured boss l2 for receiving the threaded shank of the bolt Il. -The members l1 and 4I are preferably secured tosether by threading the boss B2 on the bolt Il and threaded apertures l2 and l1 are provided in the members in which a cap screw the wiping elements. gas, lnow of which is initially impeded by the dia- -75 The rear end of the tubular section 19 is also in position relative to eachother.

As shown in Fig. 8, the diaphragm support Il is provided with an annular flange 53 adjacent its rear end, in which spaced annularly arranged openings are vices Il.

il, Fig. 8, designates a preferably rigid 'washer ensageable overthe rear end of the support M and having apertures alignable with the apertures in the iiange l for mounting the same on e fastening devices il in desired relation to the 6d for drawing the lrelative parts of the diaphra'together, as illustrated in Fiss.l 1 and 4.

It has also been found desirable to provide a guiding support for the rear end of the go-devil comprising the body sections 2 and Si andthe provided for passing fastening` de- 4 9,248,749 or the like 8l may be mounted to tis the ineinbcr diaphragm section I8. This guiding support is preferably accomplished by the provision of en s u'inulaaz' series of spaced guide rollers 5I, preferably having roller bearing support in brackets ixed to the outer ends of outwardly expanding leaf springs S3, the inner ends of which springs connected; as at S3, and mounted on plate y supports td suitably secured, as by welt-:r or the like, to the rear end of the .is support de and preferably in the interior thereof, 'as shown in Fig. 4. The rollers t i like the rollers ii, preferably angularly disposed relative to the iotudinal axis 'or the go-clevu and erect trated in Figs. l and 4.

phrwm. act on the diaphragm in sucha manner as to overcome friction between the wiping elements of the go-devil and the surface of the pipe theyv engage and thus start the go-devil moving in the line. As gas continues to be supplied, it

acts as the power for causing travel ofthe godevil through the line. As the go-devil moves,

the guide rollers il and 8i, due to their bearing contact on the inner surface oithe line, effectrotation of the godevil during its travel. The

wiping elements, such as the brushes shown,

therefore not only scrape debris from the line by dragging thereagainst, but also tend to scour and polish the line with a spiralling action which, because of the staggered relation of the wiping elements, is uniform and eilicient in effectively cleaning the interior of the iineof mill scale, dust, sand.' products of corrosion audv similar types of debris. A further beneiit'derived from rotation ofthe go-devil isvintheruniformity of wear on the respective wiping elements.

As the debris is loosened, gas passing the diaphragm entrains it and forces it against the denecting venes., the vanes changing the course of the debris and throwing it against the walls of the .line, with-an action similar to la sand blast. thereby aiding the wiping elements in v cleaning the line.

Where sections of the line are jointed, as by welds or couplings, the resiliency of the roller and wiping element supports allows the go-devii to give and pass over the same and where openings occur in portions of the line, the'trailing pieces and the reins prevent the rollers and wiping elements from passing through such' holes, thus precluding catching of the go-devil and stopping its progre through the line.

As a matter. of practice, the go-devil sucient noise in the line to allow its operators to follow its progress therethrough, und the pressure differentials may be so determined as to regulate and eectively t the paage of the go-devil through a given length of line. It has further been found where the go-devil is used in The operation of an apparatus constru -f described is as follows:

The go-devil may be handled by a crane or the like through the eye-bolt 6 on the forwardend thereof and placed near an opening in the pipe i2, as shown in Fig. 1. The go-deyil is then suitably inserted into the pipe, the opening to the pipe then being closed. The pipe may be' opened ahead of the go-devil a desired distance depend'- ing upon the part of the pipe line to be cleaned and, where the pipe line is employed. for the transmission of natural gas, such i. effimay be continued in a suitably regulated to build up sumcient pressure ditial d and in front of the go-devil to move the ape-:v tus. t f

The diaphragm may be of predetermined diameter and of such size as to by-pass a predetermined volume of gas. Such gas is employed for blowing loosened debris ahead ofthe go-devil and purges the line 'of previously loosened material. Theby-passed gas furthermore absorbs heat of friction betweenl the wiping elements and 'pipe line and therefore prolongs the eective life of Succeeding quantities o! 'poedel s the whole length of line.

has a bullet-nose l'and resilient guide roller :.f--r 'is substantially similar to the preferred form of invention.

staggered annular series of wiping elements it l and le, urged outwardly by spring supports controlled by reins 'i6 and il are also provided in eccordanee with the preferred form of invention.

The rear end i8 of the body section 'il is provided with a tubular extension 1S, the forward end oi' which is substantially similar to the connection of the forward end of the'diaphragm support Fig. 4, as employed in the preferred form of invention. l

creates the operation just described 'being ployed for -cl g. 9, a modified form of apparatus is illusprovided with resiliently mounted guide rollers 88 much in the mannerv of the guide rollers 8i employed in connection with the preferred form of invention. l

In this instance, a centrally apertured plate 8i is mounted as by- Welding or the like in the interior of the tubular section 19, and a connecting bolt 82 of less diameter than the aperture in the plate is passed through the plate 8l, vthe bolt 82 preferably being provided with. spaced'fastening devices such as lock nuts 83 and 84 on opposite sides oi' the plate, the boit thus being provided with limited longitudinal and lateral movements relative to the plate 8| for allowing the bolt to freely rotate, and providing a limited articulation at this point.

The rear or outer end of the bolt 82 is then extended through a boss 85 on the bullet nose 88 of a body section 81 forming an articulated Joint of the go-devil where it may be secured thereto in a suitable manner. wardly expanding guide rollers 88 are also mounted on the boss 85 at the forward end of the section 81 in. a manner substantially similar to the guide rollers 13, with the exception that where the guide rollers 13 are angulariy disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of the go-devil in one direction. the guide rollers 88 are angularly disposed in a direction different from the rollers 13. The effect of this is to provide for rotating the respective sections of the go-devil, in different directions at the same time, while the godevil, as a unit, is travelling through a pipe line and cleaning the same.'

The rein controlled staggered annular series of wiping` elements 88 and 90 on the section 81 of the go-devil, together with the diaphragm supporting section 8|` and diaphragm 92 thereon. are substantially similar to the corresponding elements previously described in connection with the preferred form of invention. The reslliently mounted trailer controlled guiding elements 83 are also substantially similar to those of the preferred form of invention, attention being directed to the fact, however, that the rollers 83 should correspond in angularity to the rollers 88 relavtive to the longitudinal axis of the go-devil,

while the rollers 88 and 13 correspond in angularity, the respective sets rotating the articulated sections of the go-devil in different directions.

The operation of a go-devil constructed as described is substantially similar to that of the lpreferred form of invention, with the .exception that traction between thesets of rollers 88 and 93 on the rear go-devil section causes the section 81 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction, while movement of the go-devil through the line causes traction between the rollers 13 and 88 to rotate the section 1i in a clockwise direction.

The effect of such action is to create an effective scouring, polishing and otherwise efflcient cleaning operation of the go-devilrela? ti-ve'to the interior surface of the line in which it operates, in which substantially the total area:

of the interior surface of the line is acted upon in such a manner that one passage of the go-devil through the line is ordinarily suicient to materially enhance its eiilciency in transmittingv natural gas or the like from its source to the point of consumption. l

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; Y Y

l. In an apparatus of the character described, a plurality of interconnected'body sections each having resiliently mounted outwardly urged guide Resiliently mounted outmounted on said `body section,

longitudinal flexibility to said apparatus, a dial phragm mounted on one of said sections of less diameter than the inner diameter of said pipe for respectively allowing passage and impeding passage of portions of motive fluid past the diaphragrn, and deflecting v-anes on one of said sections arranged forwardly of said diaphragm for throwing debris loosened from the pipe by the wiping elements and entrained in the motive iluid against the inner walls of the pipe for aiding the wiping elements in cleaning the pipe.

2. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the character described, a body section, wiping means mounted on said body section, leaf springs rigidly mounted at their forward ends on the front and rear ends respectively of said section and having trailing pieces extending rearwardly therefrom, said trailing pieces being of a. length sufilcient to bridge openings in a pipe for allowing the body section to pass through said pipe over said openings.

3. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of thecharacter described, a body section, wiping means mounted on said body section, leaf springs mounted at their forward ends on the forward end of said section and having trailing pieces extending rearwardly therefrom, said trailing pieces being of a length suiiicientto bridge openings in a pipe for allowing the body section to pass through said pipe over said openings, and rollers mounted near the'free ends of said springs.`

` 4. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the character described, a body section, wiping means mounted on said body section, leaf springs rigidly mounted at their forward ends on the front and rear ends respectively y.of said section and having trailing pieces extending rearwardly therefrom, said trailing pieces being of a length sufficient to bridge openings in a pipe for allowing the body section to pass through said pipe over said openings, and rollers mounted intermediately of the ends of said springs.

5. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the character described, a bodyY section. wiping means diagonally arranged deflecting vanes projecting forwardly respectively from one end only of said section arranged to deflect fluid entrained debris impinging thereagainst for throwing the same against the walls of a pipe through which the apparatus is traveling, and diaphragm mounted on said body section havin a flexible rim portion of a diameter less than the inner diameter ofthe pipe for respectively passing a predetermined quantity of motive uid to be acted upon by said vanes and impeding flow of the remainder thereof to eilect travel of the apparatus through said line.

6. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the character described, a body section, pipe wiping means mounted on said body section, at least one de- -v fleeting vane mounted on said section exterlorly thereof and arranged diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis of said section to deflect fluid entrained debris impinging thereagainst for throwing the same with a scouring action against the walls of a pipe through which the apparatus is traveling, and a diaphragm mounted on said body section of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the pipe for respectively passing a predetermined quantity of motive fluid to be acted upon by said vane and impeding flow ci the remainder thereof to eect travel of the apparatus through said line. I

7. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the character described, a body section, a plurality of leaf springs radially arranged about the forward end of said body section, the springs being xed at their forward ends to said section and extending rearwardly therefrom in laterally diverging relaaaeavaa tion to said section, deflecting vanes mounted diagonally on said section between said springs, outwardly expansible leaf springs radially 'arranged on said section and diverging 'rearwardly therefrom, wiping elements on the outer ends of said springs, and a diaphragm mounted on said section at the rear end thereof of less diameter than a pipe into which the device may be inserted for passing and impeding passage of motive fluid medium from the rear to the front of said apparatus andfor -allowing the fluid to be acted upon by said vanes.

8. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the charactei described, a body section, a plurality of leaf springs radially arranged about-the forward end of said body section, the springs being xed at their forward ends to said section rearwardly therefrom in laterally diverging relation to said section, rollers mounted on said springs in angular relation to the longitudinal axis of said section intermedlately of the ends of said springs, deecting vanes mounted diagonally and extending on said section between said springs, outwardly expansible leaf springs fastened near the rar of said section and extending rearwardly therefrom, wiping elements on the outer ends of said springs, a circular ring disposed about said wiping element springs. tie rods rigidly connecting said ring with said section to limit expansion of said wiping element springs, a diaghragm mounted on said section at the rear end thereof, said diaphragm having an outerresilient edge o? less diameter than a pipe into which the device may be inserted for passing and'impedng passage of motive uid medium from the rear to the front of said apparatus and for allowing the fiuid to be acted upon by said vanes, and leaf springs mounted on and extending rearwardly outwardly relative to said body section.

9. In a pipe cleaning apparatus of the character described, a body section, springs radially arranged about the forward end of said body section, thel springs beingxed at their forward` ends to said section and extending rearwardlytherefrom in laterally diverging relation to 'said section, rollers mounted on said springs in angular relation to the longitudinal axis of said section intermediately of the ends of said springs, deflecting vanes mounted diagonally on said section between said springs, out-- wardly expansible leaf springs fastened near the rear of said section and extending rearwardly therefrom, wiping elements on the outer ends of said springs, a circular ring disposed about said wiping element springs, tie rods rigidly connecting said ring with said section to limit expansion of said wiping element springs a diaphragm mounted on said section at the rear end thereof, outer resilient edge f said diaphragm having an of less diameter than a pipe into which the device may be inserted for passing and impeding passage of motive fluid medium from the rear to the front of said apparatus and for allowing the fluid to be acted upon by said vanes, leaf springs mounted on and extending rearwardly outwardly relative to said body section, and rollers mounted intermediately of the ends of said springs in angular relation to the longitudinal axis of said body section.

CHARLES I-I. M. ZBURNHAM.

a plurality of leail A 

